Justin T. Whitaker - Department of Entomology - University of Arkansas
Justin T. Whitaker - Department of Entomology - University of Arkansas
Justin T. Whitaker - Department of Entomology - University of Arkansas
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<strong>Justin</strong> T. <strong>Whitaker</strong><br />
956 W Eagle St • Fayetteville, AR 72701 • 479-966-9551 • <strong>Whitaker</strong>.107@gmail.com<br />
Education<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arkansas</strong>; 3.67 GPA<br />
Master <strong>of</strong> Science in <strong>Entomology</strong>, December 2010 (projected)<br />
Research thesis: Molecular detection and occurrence <strong>of</strong> the honey bee pathogens<br />
Nosema ceranae and N. apis in the United States and Turkey<br />
The Ohio State <strong>University</strong>; 3.1 GPA<br />
Bachelor’s <strong>of</strong> Science in Biological Sciences, June 2007<br />
Minor: Microbiology<br />
Aerospace propulsion apprentice technical school, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX, April -<br />
August 2002<br />
United States Air Force Academy, 1999 – 2002<br />
Research Experience<br />
Graduate research<br />
Social Insect Genetics laboratory with Dr. Allen<br />
Szalanski, January 2009 – present<br />
• DNA isolation, gel electrophoresis, and primer<br />
design<br />
• Duplex PCR for Nosema detection and species<br />
differentiation<br />
Undergraduate research<br />
Termite research laboratory with Dr. Susan Jones,<br />
summer 2006<br />
• Assembly, placement, and maintenance <strong>of</strong> field<br />
and lab equipment<br />
• Insect toxicology experiments using<br />
experimental insecticides<br />
Virology Laboratory with Dr. Patrick Green, spring<br />
2007<br />
• DNA isolation, gel electrophoresis, and<br />
Western blots<br />
Relevant Work Experience<br />
Food microbiologist for the Ohio <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, February – May 2008
Mosquito Control Field Technician intern for the Franklin County, Ohio Board <strong>of</strong> Health,<br />
May – September 2006<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Presentations<br />
<strong>Whitaker</strong>, J., and A.L. Szalanski. 2009. Distribution and molecular detection <strong>of</strong> Nosema<br />
ceranae in US honey bees. 57 th Annual ESA Meeting, Indianapolis, Indiana.<br />
<strong>Whitaker</strong>, J., and A.L. Szalanski. 2009. Molecular detection and occurrence <strong>of</strong> Nosema<br />
ceranae from Turkish honey bees. Third Annual Arthropod Genomics<br />
Symposium, Kansas<br />
Awards and Honors<br />
Travel grant for poster presentation at the 2009 57 th ESA Annual Meeting, Indianapolis,<br />
Indiana.<br />
First Place, 2009 ESA Student Competition for the President’s Prize for student posters<br />
in the Molecular: Other category <strong>of</strong> the Plant-Insect Ecosystem division.<br />
Dean’s List at the Ohio State <strong>University</strong>, autumn quarter 2006.<br />
Honorable Discharge, US Air Force, 22 February 2004.<br />
Refereed Publications<br />
Submitted to the journal Apidologie in December 2009: J. <strong>Whitaker</strong>, A.L. Szalanski, and<br />
M. Kence. Molecular Detection <strong>of</strong> Nosema ceranae and N. apis from Turkish<br />
Honey Bees.<br />
Reports and Non-Refereed Publications<br />
Szalanski, A.L., R. Magnus, and J. <strong>Whitaker</strong>. 2009. Honey bee research at the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arkansas</strong>. <strong>Arkansas</strong> Plant Board Apiary Newsletter 46:(3) pg. 2.<br />
Szalanski, A.L., and J. <strong>Whitaker</strong>. 2009. Nosema ceranae research at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Arkansas</strong>. <strong>Arkansas</strong> Plant Board Apiary Newsletter 46:(1) pg. 1.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Memberships<br />
Entomological Society <strong>of</strong> America<br />
American Society <strong>of</strong> Microbiology<br />
<strong>Arkansas</strong> Entomological Society<br />
<strong>Justin</strong> T. <strong>Whitaker</strong> • 956 W Eagle St • Fayetteville AR 72701<br />
479-966-9551 • <strong>Whitaker</strong>.107@gmail.com
Student Involvement<br />
2006 – 2007: Charter member and treasurer <strong>of</strong> the Chrysalis Collective <strong>of</strong><br />
Undergraduate Entomologists<br />
2009 – present: Isely-Baerg <strong>Entomology</strong> Club<br />
• Help manage apiary<br />
• Extract honey from bee<br />
• Aid club funding through honey sales<br />
• Help plan club outings<br />
2009 – present: member <strong>of</strong> Military Past and Present on Campus (MPPOC) student<br />
organization<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional and <strong>Department</strong>al Activities and Service<br />
Attended entomology departmental seminars between January 2009 and present<br />
Treasurer for the Isely-Baerg <strong>Entomology</strong> Club in 2009<br />
Member <strong>of</strong> the UA <strong>Entomology</strong> <strong>Department</strong> 2009 and 2010 Distinguished Alumnus<br />
Award selection committee<br />
Member <strong>of</strong> the Northwest <strong>Arkansas</strong> Beekeeper Association (NWABA)<br />
• Provide recent research findings<br />
• Act as liaison between local beekeepers and the UA <strong>Entomology</strong> <strong>Department</strong><br />
National Service<br />
Providing Nosema ceranae and N. apis molecular diagnostics for the New York<br />
<strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Agriculture and Markets. 2009 – present.<br />
State Service<br />
Providing Nosema ceranae and N. apis molecular diagnostics for Northwest <strong>Arkansas</strong><br />
beekeepers and the <strong>Arkansas</strong> State Plant Board. 2009 – present.<br />
Local Community Service and Outreach<br />
Science project judge in the microbiology division at the Ohio Academy <strong>of</strong> Science State<br />
Science Day in May 2008<br />
<strong>Department</strong>al representative at Fayetteville Farmer’s Market during summer 2009<br />
• Live insect displays<br />
• Q&A about insects and arthropods with local citizens<br />
<strong>Justin</strong> T. <strong>Whitaker</strong> • 956 W Eagle St • Fayetteville AR 72701<br />
479-966-9551 • <strong>Whitaker</strong>.107@gmail.com
Science project judge in the microbiology division for the Northwest <strong>Arkansas</strong> Regional<br />
Science and Engineering Fair 13 March 2009.<br />
Provided Nosema research results at several NWABA meetings during 2009.<br />
Bentonville Old High Middle School – Prepared live insect and microscope displays and<br />
answered questions about insects and entomology on 26 Feb and 23 Sep 2009<br />
Training and Certifications<br />
• Attended UA Graduate School’s Fall 2009 Responsible Conduct <strong>of</strong> Research seminar<br />
series.<br />
• Attended NWABA Beekeeping classes In January and February 2009. Topics<br />
included the history <strong>of</strong> beekeeping, pests and diseases, and honey extraction.<br />
<strong>Justin</strong> T. <strong>Whitaker</strong> • 956 W Eagle St • Fayetteville AR 72701<br />
479-966-9551 • <strong>Whitaker</strong>.107@gmail.com
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